Art on Emotion, 2010

Sometimes it just helps to draw—or paint or make music. "Art on Emotion" opened at the Somerville Museum on Sunday and will run through December 25. Members of local youth groups as well as consumers (people receiving mental health services), created the artwork on show as part of the City's ongoing "Making Connections—How Are You Doing?" campaign. The aim of the program is simple: to reduce the stigma of mental illness.

"Finding outlets to express emotion is crucial in maintaining positive mental health. However, it is often difficult to put our feelings into words" said Patty Contente, clinical youth specialist from the Somerville Health Department. "This exhibit showcases how art can help in expressing and processing feelings to build strength and resiliency. Each piece of art is accompanied by a narrative that tells this story."

At the opening, refreshments will be served, accompanied by music by Tunefoolery, a musical group composed of and run by people receiving mental health services, to establish identities based on musical achievement rather than mental illness. A brief speaking program will feature Mayor Joe Curtatone, former Sen. Robert Antonioni, Dr. Karen Hacker of the Institute for Community Health, and Somerville artist Viesia Novosielski.

With the help of volunteer artists, Contente led workshops with the following youth groups, whose members contributed artwork to the show: Teen Empowerment, Girls Scouts, Somerville Community Explorers and the Somerville Youth Program, Council on Aging, Somerville Cares about Prevention, and the Somerville High School Gay/Straight Alliance.

"Art on Emotion" is made possible through the work of the Somerville Committee on Suicide Prevention & Mental Health, the City of Somerville Health Department, the Somerville Museum and the Somerville Arts Council.